Walter William "Billy" Pierce (born April 2, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who played with the Detroit Tigers (1945, 1948), Chicago White Sox (1949-61) and San Francisco Giants (1962-64). A diminutive southpaw listed at 5'10, 160 pounds, Pierce has been considered one of the greatest pitchers in the White Sox history.
Having never thrown a pitch in the minor leagues, Pierce made his majors debut with the Tigers in 1945, just a few weeks after his 18th birthday. He was traded to the White Sox before the 1949 season.
In 13 seasons with the Sox uniform, Pierce threw four one-hitters; pitched 51 consecutive scoreless innings and led the league in shutouts (7) and in strikeouts (186) in 1953; led the league in ERA (1.97) and in wins (20, along with Jim Bunning) in 1955; tied for the league lead in complete games between 1956 and 1958, and was selected for seven All-Star games.
Pierce had an excellent curve and a devastating change that he combined with an average fastball. He finished his career with San Francisco, winning 16 games with the 1962 Giants' pennant winners, and pitching a three-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in the Game 6 of the World Series.
In 18-seasons career, Pierce posted a 211-169 record with 1,999 strikeouts, a 3.27 ERA, 193 complete games, 38 shutouts, 32 saves, and 3,336.2 innings pitched in 585 games (432 as a starter). His 186 career victories with the White Sox rank fourth on the club's all-time list, behind Hall of Famers Ted Lyons, Red Faber and Ed Walsh. His number 19 is one of only eight Sox retired uniform numbers (1987) and he was named to the Sox Team of the Century (2000).
Maybe Pierce has been overlooked for the Hall of Fame honors during his time on the ballots, despite his considerable credentials are comparable to many of the pitchers enshrined in Cooperstown.
Currently, at 77 age, Pierce is a member of the White Sox community relations department, making frequent public appearances in the Chicago area. In addition, he heads the not-for-profit Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities.
Highlights
- 7-time All-Star (1953, 1955-59, 1961)
- Twice Top 10 American League MVP (10, 1953; 5, 1956)
- Top 10 MLB Cy Young Award (3, 1962)
- Led league in wins (20, 1957)
- Led league in ERA (1.97, 1955)
- Led league in strikeouts (186, 1953)
- 8-time won 15 or more games
- Won his personal duels against Yankee Whitey Ford (8-6) and Indian Bob Lemon (7-2)
- Threw one-hit shutout against the Yankees in a rain-delayed game (June 15, 1950)
- Threw one-hit shutout against the St. Louis Browns. Bobby Young 's double in the 7th inning is the only Browns safety (April 16, 1953)
- Retired 26 Washington Senators in a row before pinch-hitter Ed Fitz Gerald hit a double to become the only opponent base runner (June 27, 1958)
Numbers
Comparison between Billy Pierce and the others 65 pitchers in the Hall of Fame:
Resource: Major League Baseball
External links
